Facts About Mars

Scientists describe Mars as the ‘Red Planet’ as they observe its brilliance through their telescopes. It is similar to Venus as shines in the night sky. They are rediscovering all the facts that ancient philosophers, theorists, astronomers and other thinkers knew. Thinkers such as Aristotle used their knowledge of the planets and the universe to organise their society. Experts will likely continue to make new discoveries in their quest to learn what they can about Mars, Earth and our solar system.

• Christian Huygens discovered as strange feature now known as Syrtis Major. Experts have learnt exciting facts about Mars which suggests that life had likely existed on it. Giovanni Schiaparelli noticed strange lines on the planet which he later realized were canals. He knew that living beings needed to survive and flourish. If the planet had water than it is likely that it could support life on it.
• Scientists knew about the planet’s ability to produce water as early as 1971 as they discovered large volcanoes on its surface. This suggests that the planet likely warmed making it impossible for life to withstand the heat.
• Astronauts dreaming of traveling to the ‘Red Planet’, however, they had not achieved this feat until the late 1900s. They eventually landed on the planet’s surface with the aim of analyzing its ability to adapt to climate change and support life on it.
• Nobody can claim that they or their country discovered Mars. Experts can only see five planets from their laboratories. They include; Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. Scientists will likely develop the technology to see the other planets in our solar system. They often wish to learn as much as they can to understand Mars and Earth.
• Humans have been fascinated by Mars and the wider universe for centuries. The Romans and ancient Egyptians studied the sky and realised that Mars was a planet in its own right. They and the Babylonians realized that Mars was further away from the sun than Earth. Ancient people respected these facts as they based their religions and daily practices on them.
• Other thinkers knew about Mars, the sun and the solar system which modern man takes for granted. Aristotle the Greek philosopher knew that man was only a small part of the universe. He realized that Earth was not the most important planet rather it was only as significant as the other planets in our solar system. Astronauts plan to explore the ‘Red Planet’ in 2011 provided they are ready to do so.

Ancient scientists, philosophers, and theorists knew about Mars, our solar system and the wider universe before modern man. Mars is known as the ‘Red Planet’ for its brilliant colour and appearance. Experts suggest that life existed on Mars; however as the planet warmed it could not support the species on it.  In conclusion modern scientists and astronauts will likely continue to study and travel to Mars to learn all they can about it and our solar system.